Diana Hill
Online Trading Academy
Question: My husband and I are looking to buy our first house and we need a real estate professional. I don’t know the difference between broker, agent or realtor. Can you please help me understand?
The general public tends to use broker, agent and realtor interchangeably. They indicate differences in education, professional affiliation and specialty. The requirements for each will also be different from state to state.
Real Estate Agent: A real estate agent is an individual who is licensed to negotiate and arrange real estate sales. An agent is a person who can represent a buyer or a seller in a real estate transaction in exchange for a commission. Their tasks include but are not limited to: showing property, listing property for sale, negotiating contracts and marketing properties. Agents are generally licensed but must operate under the supervision of a real estate broker.
Real Estate Broker: A licensed professional that is permitted to manage all legal intricacies of real estate transactions, both the buying and selling. Brokers also can hire agents to work for them while they manage the whole process. To be a broker one has to pass a longer, more intense exam and have either: several years of experience – depending on the states requirements or have a bachelor’s degree. In most states more course work is required as well. As a broker, you are also required to complete continuing education courses to keep your license. There are benefits to being a broker, taking a leadership role, managing a team, being the exclusive recipient of commissions and earning commissions from the agents that work under you, just to name a few. A broker also has a higher level of exposure to liability.
Realtor: A Realtor can be a Broker or Agent. Of all the real estate professionals all over the world only about 1 million are members of the NAR – National Association of Realtors and can use the designation of REALTOR. According to the NAR, “The term ‘REALTOR’ is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NAR and abides by its strict Code of Ethics.”
This code of ethics is what entices many customers to seek out a licensed REALTOR. This code is a pledge to protect and promote the interests of their clients. They pledge to avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or transaction; they must follow certain standards in order to keep their membership.
The question really comes down to, “Who do you trust with your time and money?” It is always wise to work with agents who have extended credentials, such as being a REALTOR. These are professionals who are bound to a specific set of standards and pay to be part of this elite organization.
As with any profession, there are those who rise to the top of their industry and those who just go through the motions. Real Estate is a service industry. If these professionals want to grow their businesses it will be by referrals. So, the real estate professional who treats you as a client and not just a deal is the one you’re looking for.
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Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD climbs to two-week highs beyond 1.1900
EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.
GBP/USD hits three-day peaks, targets 1.3700
GBP/USD is clocking decent gains at the start of the week, advancing to three-day highs near 1.3670 and building on Friday’s solid performance. The better tone in the British Pound comes on the back of the intense sekk-off in the Greenback and despite re-emerging signs of a fresh government crisis in the UK.
USD/JPY recedes to multi-day lows near 155.50
USD/JPY is pulling back sharply at the start of the week, slipping back toward the 155.50 area as speculation mounts that authorities could step in to rein in further Yen weakness. That narrative gained traction after PM S. Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s election, stoking expectations of a tougher line in defence of the domestic currency.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD climbs to two-week highs beyond 1.1900
EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.
USD/JPY recedes to multi-day lows near 155.50
USD/JPY is pulling back sharply at the start of the week, slipping back toward the 155.50 area as speculation mounts that authorities could step in to rein in further Yen weakness. That narrative gained traction after PM S. Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s election, stoking expectations of a tougher line in defence of the domestic currency.
Gold treads water around $5,000
Gold is trading in an inconclusive fashion around the key $5,000 mark on Monday week. Support is coming from fresh signs of further buying from the PBoC, while expectations that the Fed could turn more dovish, alongside concerns over its independence, keep the demand for the precious metal running.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin steadies around $70,000, Ethereum and XRP remain under pressure
Bitcoin hovers around $70,000, up near 15% from last week's low of $60,000 despite low retail demand. Ethereum delicately holds $2,000 support as weak technicals weigh amid declining futures Open Interest. XRP seeks support above $1.40 after facing rejection at $1.54 during the previous week's sharp rebound.
Japanese PM Takaichi nabs unprecedented victory – US data eyed this week
I do not think I would be exaggerating to say that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap general election gamble paid off over the weekend – and then some. This secured the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) an unprecedented mandate just three months into her tenure.
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